Perkins: 'I Want Aggression To Be Like A Disease'

Perkins: I don't claim to be a genius and I'm not a miracle worker. I work hard, try to make good decisions and surround myself with the right people. That's the only way I know how to do it.

Q: Why did you take this job?

A: The attraction of this job is the challenge of putting it together. When I was in high school, I loved taking an engine apart and putting it back togather. If you did it right, put all the parts in the proper place, it had to run.

Q: But suppose many of the proper parts are missing? What's missing here?

A: We started with a team that was too small, too weak and too slow. We can do something about making the players bigger and stronger, but we can't make them run any faster. The speed will have to come from the draft.

Q: You drafted 20 players and it looks like as many as 14 will make the club and six may start. Are you pleased?

A: I think we had a good draft. But any time you have that many selections, you are expecting more than average help from that draft.

Q: What about Vinny Testaverde?

A: He's coming along fine. It's been 15 years since I've seen a young quarterback with the quality and tenaciousness he brings to the position. He should be a great quarterback.

Q: When will he start?

A: When he's ready.

Q: What have been your preseason goals?

A: The first goal was to turn a bunch of guys into a team. Then we had to evaluate the players and find the best 45. Then we had to choose the starting 22.

Q: And how soon can we expect to see the Bucs win on a regular basis?

A: I don't believe in timetables. We want to make the Buccaneers a winning football team as quickly as possible. We want to win every game we play, but I am a realist and I know it will take some time.

Q: Then what can you promise the fans for 1987?

A: That they will see a young, aggressive team that is trying to win on every down. I want aggression to be like a disease. I want it to spread from one player to another until all have it.